Black belts will beat white belts. Someone earns a black belt by dedication and effort to a specific martial art. There are many different martial arts to choose from. However, true mastery comes from selecting one and diving deep whether you decide to learn karate, jiu-jitsu, tae kwon do, judo, etc. A black belt realizes there is work and practice to reach that level. Hopping between schools and getting several white belts from different martial arts doesn’t compare to the level of mastery of a black belt’s commitment.
Dive Deep
The black belts of any field dive deep into their discipline. Far too many keep to surface-level learning. Although it is beneficial to be a well-rounded person and have a range of skills to give you perspective, most master clinicians and successful orthodontists in business have chosen an area to focus on and get their black belt in that discipline. Core competence in practice goes beyond reading many different books and attending free classes and short courses. Dive deep into your appliance of choice. Learn the system you wish to implement in your office. Focus on the key areas that align your interests and the success of your practice. World-class performers regroup and return to the niche that they want to master.
True Mastery
Mastering a skill comes from a commitment and repeated deliberate practice. Unfortunately, we hear that practice makes perfect, but the truth is that training can also ingrain bad habits. It isn’t about practice making perfect, but proper technique leads to mastery. True mastery in any field comes from diving deep into it and strengthening that muscle with repetition of appropriate form. We need to critically evaluate our techniques, measure results, and reinforce positive traits. Those that lead to the results and the practice we wish to run.
